As an apex predator that can harm human beings and domestic animals, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is feared in many parts of the nation. However, “the reasons to fear alligators are unfounded, as they are not aggressive beasts, although as large predators they should be respected,” said Frank Mazzotti, professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.

Aside from a miraculous case of how an Italian teenager survived for 42 minutes underwater without oxygen in 2015 or Stéphane Mifsud’s static apnea (holding one’s breath without moving) underwater world record of 11 minutes and 35 seconds in 2009, air—rather, oxygen—is something human beings can’t literally live without.

When disaster strikes, everyone turns to trained, front-line heroes to swoop in, rescue people, and help everyone navigate through the chaos